Compositions and methods for inhibiting seed germination

Abstract

Provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting seed germination. The methods comprise exposing a seed to a composition comprising one or more enzymes, one or more bacteria, and/or an enzymatic extract, wherein the one or more enzymes, one or more bacteria, and/or the enzymatic extract isolated from one or more bacteria are exposed to seed in a quantity sufficient to inhibit seed germination.

1 . A method for inhibiting seed germination, comprising exposing an isolated seed to a composition comprising one or more bacteria, wherein the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of genus  Rhodococcus,  genus  Brevibacterium,  genus  Pseudonocardia,  genus  Nocardia,  genus  Pseudomonas  and combinations thereof, and wherein the one or more bacteria are provided in a quantity sufficient to inhibit seed germination. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bacteria are induced to produce one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of nitrile hydratases, amidases, asparaginases, ACC deaminases, cyanoalanine synthase-like enzymes, monooxygenases, dioxygenases, cyanidases, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bacteria are from the genus  Rhodococcus.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of  Rhodococcus rhodochrous  DAP 96253,  Rhodococcus rhodochrous  DAP 96622,  Rhodococcus erythropolis,  or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition further comprises the one or more enzymes or an enzymatic extract produced by the one or more bacteria. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an inducing agent selected from the group consisting of urea, methyl carbamate, methacrylamide, acetamide, cobalt, asparagine or asparagine derivative, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claims 6 , wherein the inducing agent comprises urea or methyl carbamate and one or more of cobalt and asparagine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a stabilizing agent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the stabilizing agent is trehalose. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bacteria are fixed with glutaraldehyde and cross-linked. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bacteria are provided in a coating layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coating layer is selected from a hydrophobic fatty acid polyester coating or a wax. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a magnetic material. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seed is indirectly exposed to the one or more bacteria. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seed is directly exposed to the one or more bacteria. 
     
     
         17 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is provided in liquid form. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the liquid is sprayed at or near the seed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition further comprises a liquid carrier. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquid carrier is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted naphthalene, a phthalic acid ester, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, an alcohol, and a glycol. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is provided as a solid and the solid is applied at or near the seed. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the solid further comprises a solid carrier. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the solid carrier is selected from the group consisting of a dust, a wettable powder, a water dispersible granule, and a mineral filler. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the mineral filler is selected from the group consisting of calcites, silicas, talcs, kaolins, montmorillonites, attapulgites, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising exposing the seed to one or more exogenous enzymes selected from the group consisting of nitrile hydratase, amidase, asparaginase, ACC deaminase, cyanoalanine synthase-like enzyme, alkane monooxygenase, ammonium monooxygenase, methane monooxygenase, toluene dioxygenase, cyanidase, and combination thereof, wherein the one or more exogenous enzymes are exposed to the plant or plant part in a quantity sufficient to inhibit seed germination. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method for inhibiting seed germination, comprising exposing an isolated seed to a composition comprising one or more enzymes produced by one or more bacteria, wherein the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of genus  Rhodococcus,  genus  Brevibacterium,  genus  Pseudonocardia,  genus  Nocardia,  genus  Pseudomonas  and combinations thereof, and wherein the one or more enzymes are provided in a quantity sufficient to inhibit seed germination. 
     
     
         32 - 58 . (canceled)